Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap: 7/15

Gwinnett - All Star Game

I would post this, but the game just started so maybe next time. Speaking of which I am watching the game now and a guy I went to college with is pitching, RJ Swindle. Dude can't throw much more than 80 MPH but has ridiculous control and maybe the slowest curve in history (just ended the inning on a 50 MPH one), but he has stints with 2or 3 major league teams.

Huntsville 2, Mississippi 6

• J. Heyward 2-4 2 RBI, 2K
• F. Freeman 2-3 2B, 2 RBI
• C. Rodriguez 2-4 2B, 2K
• E. Osuna 5IP 3H 0R 1BB 3K

Well Jason Heyward and Frederick Freeman both got it done tonight for Mississippi and Edgar Osuna pitched solidly in his 5 innings. The M-Braves are only 3-6 since Freeman and Heyward were brought up to the team. Obviously they are bad luck and we should trade them both immediately for cash. I really did want to put Concepcion Rodriguez and Willie Cabrera on my top 25 list, but neither one has an OPS over .700. I expect they are in my top 30 and both have been hitting very well over the last month.

• D. Linares 2-3 2B, RBI
• C. Johnson 2-4 HR(23), 2 RBI
• G. Rodriguez 1-3 HR(2), BB

Cody Johnson does have an OBP that is 100 points higher than his batting average which is generally what I consider a good indicator of solid plate discipline. I know he strikes out a lot, but that is more a contact issue. The kid has really come a long way in his approach. Donell Linares might sneak up on us. He is old for a prospect but he might progress quickly a la fellow Cuban Yunel Escobar. He actually looks like a very similar player to Escobar. I would be interested to see what his defense is like.

Greensboro 10, Rome 12 - 12 Innings

• S. Moody 3-5 2B, RBI, K
• L. Sumoza 2-5 2B, 3 RBI, K
• B. Schlehuber 2-6 2B, HR(5), 4 RBI, K

Braeden Schlehuber delivered the game winning walk off homer in the bottom of the 12 inning. I really want to like this guy because the scouting reports on him are good. He is only 21 so maybe next year we will see him break out. I hope. You guys can look at my list and know I love catchers and we are pretty good at finding and developing them. Paul Clemens gave up 8 runs (6 earned) in this oneand has allowed 4 or more in 4 of his last 6 starts. Oddly he allowed 0 in the other 2.

Elizabethton 4, Danville 2

• C. Harrilchak 3-4 2B, 3B, RBI
• W. Oberholtzer 6IP 7H 4R 0BB 1K

I wouldn't be surprised if Oberholtzer was working on something specific in this game. That or he was just off. He allowed more runs in this game than he had in all his other games combined. Not a bad track record. This Harrilchak guy has been hitting the ball well lately with a .366 AVG over his last 10 games.

GCL Yankees 11, GCL Braves

• C. Bethancourt 2-5 2B, RBI, K
• C. Lovett 2-5 2B, 2 RBI, K
• J. Parr 2IP 0H 0R 0BB 3K

James Parr had a nice rehab start tonight. He is a guy I have forgotten about all season because of his injury, but he gives us some SP depth. Bethancourt has been flashing some good doubles power so far this season. That is what I like to see from my teenagers!